During the war and destruction in Gaza, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) arrived on August 21 in Doha, to complain to the Qatari emir about “(Khaled) Meshaal the liar,” whose group he accused of trying to stage a coup in the West Bank. Mahmoud Abbas seemed tense. He brought to Emir Tamim bin Hamad “two issues that we cannot resolve”: The failed negotiations with Israel and the relationship with Hamas. “Hamas wants to drive me mad,” Abbas said. He relayed to the emir what the Israelis had told him, that “[They] have arrested 93 members of Hamas who were preparing to stage a coup in the West Bank, with help from Saleh al-Aruri from Turkey, while the liaison person between them in Amman was a man called Jawad.”
The emir said he understood where the president of the Palestinian Authority was coming from, adding, “You have provided information sourced from Israel, (then) it is definitely correct.” Moments later, Khaled Mehsaal and Hamas’s delegation enter the hall. Abbas’s contagious tension spreads to his “opponents.” Abbas then made a statement that he concluded thus, “You have carried out the coup in agreement with Dahlan, and to this moment, you still have ties with him.” At this point, Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk interjects and says, “You still believe this story?” Abu Mazen replies, “Don’t interrupt me; don’t provoke me Abu Omar.” The “provocations” and accusations then continue, until the emir decides to end the meeting until a later time when Abbas has calmed down.
Al-Akhbar has obtained a copy of the minutes of the meeting, excerpts of which are published below.
After emir Tamim welcomed the Palestinian president, and inquired about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, the following conversation took place:
Abu Mazen: I thank your highness for the meeting despite your many preoccupations; but the situation is unbearable and it does not tolerate any delays. Things in the Gaza Strip are very, very bad, and yet some were willing to blow up the situation in the West Bank with malicious intentions.
Emir Tamim: We always urge and ask Hamas to implement a ceasefire to save the lives of women and children. For this reason, we supported negotiations for a truce in Cairo. But the Egyptian discourse is a little un-reassuring. Recently, the Americans were contacting us daily and Kerry calls every day a thousand times.
Abu Mazen: The Palestinian situation is difficult. We are facing two fundamental issues that cannot be resolved. First: the negotiations have failed. Twenty years of negotiations over the 1967 borders and we have not advanced one step. Recently, we agreed to Kerry’s proposal to renew negotiations for nine months, and agreed to the US request not to go to the United Nations, in return for releasing [Palestinian] detainees. But the Israelis have refused to release the fourth batch and to stop settlement activity, so we failed, after which we decided to reconcile with Hamas under the auspices of your Highness, and form a government of national accord, which Israel then refused to deal with.
We went and signed 15 international treaties; from April until now, there has been no progress in the negotiations. The Americans kept saying we will give you a framework [agreement], but they are dragging their feet and have not yet given it to us. We said we wanted a written offer not an oral one, and they were incensed. All they gave us is words. If the United States wants a solution, let us agree on a Palestinian state within the '67 borders, with its capital in Jerusalem, and within two or three months [we can agree] on the demarcation of the border, and then negotiate over the rest of the points. If they [don’t] agree, we will stop security coordination and cooperation with Israel, and ask Netanyahu to come and we’ll hand over the Palestinian Authority to him, and the situation can then go back to the way it was before Oslo. I informed the chief of Israeli intelligence of this when he visited me days ago, and I have started to gradually inform the Americans, and let everything collapse over everybody.
Second: Our relationship with Hamas. Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, they have been working to undermine it and to topple it. Arafat invited them to participate in the Authority and the 1996 elections, and they refused and said democracy is unlawful because it is the rule of the people, and they want the rule of sharia. They issue fatwas as they please, and use religion to serve their goals. (...) We went to the Kaaba, and swore to uphold national unity, yet after three months they mutinied against the Palestinian Authority. Even now, whenever I talk about Meshaal in front of King Abdullah, he tells me: This Meshaal is a liar.
Then came the 2009 war and after that the war in 2012, which we were against, and they signed an agreement through their people and (Mohammed) Morsi and Hillary Clinton, before we came to you and agreed to complete the reconciliation agreement. For more than two years, they have been dragging their heels, and they do not want elections. The elections are now once again unlawful. (...)
In the last period, something happened that made me lose my wits; they kidnapped and killed three settlers, and when we asked Meshaal about this he said: I do not know, and then afterwards he said: I do not deny nor confirm it! Lies and prevarication, despite the fact that when Israel and the Americans told me Hamas [did it], I told them this is not true, so give me proof. There was a surprising development yesterday when Saleh al-Aruri claimed responsibility for the kidnapping on behalf of Hamas from Turkey. This means that Turkey accepts this, and here is a recording containing Aruri’s confessions. As a result of this act, 20 Palestinians were killed and Mohammed Abu Khudair was burned alive. Their goal is to destroy the West Bank and create a state of chaos in order to carry out a coup against us.
Hamas wants to drive me crazy. Since they kidnapped Shalit, they have been in contact with the Israelis, the Americans, the Europeans, and the Germans and others, and are doing everything behind our backs. Even when we were negotiating in Cairo, we were just an empty hat [i.e. had no say]. They told the rest of the delegation, we are the ones on the battlefield, we are the ones fighting. This means that the Palestinian Authority has no say when it comes to the decision of war and peace.
The Israeli intelligence chief came to me two weeks ago in Ramallah. It was a private visit. I told him of my next political steps, and he said to me he would convey my message to Prime Minister Netanyahu. He told me I want to keep you appraised of several dangerous issues that threaten your existence and the existence of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, including the fact, as he told me, that they [the Israelis] had arrested 93 Hamas members who were preparing for a coup against the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, sponsored by Saleh al-Aruri from Turkey, the liaison person between them in Amman being a man called Jawad. He said we have names and details about weapons and tunnels they prepared for the coup against you.
Why do they want a coup against me? I have sensed it, and my security agencies gave me reports about this. All the weapons and explosives we seized were not meant for Israel, but for us. But why this coup? What about the partnership between us? Where are we going with this? Why this Iranian-style of saying one thing and meaning another?
In 2006, they planted explosives in my route. They want to bomb me. They also dug a tunnel straight under my house in Gaza, and here’s a CD containing images of everything. They were heard saying this is a mine meant for Abu Mazen; where are you going with this? This is a hypocritical organization that one cannot work with (…).
In the negotiations in Cairo, Meshaal sent five members. Despite this, whenever we needed even a small decision to be made, they had to go back to Meshaal! We want a truce before anything else, and then we put up all the demands for discussion. Meshaal and the other members came from Doha with an intransigent attitude, even though the situation in Gaza is tough, but they don’t care, because the price is being paid by ordinary people. They don’t live in Gaza, and all this has led to the failure of the ceasefire negotiations.
Before the coup [i.e. in 2007 in Gaza], they had an agreement with Dahlan over the coup. Two months earlier, they asked him to leave and told him: We can carry out the coup ourselves, so he left with his people. There’s still cooperation between them. They organized a mass wedding together with funding from the UAE. Dahlan received them in the UAE and with them members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and agreed to implement projects with Emirati funding. The UAE sent a field hospital and handed it over to Dahlan’s people, and I have a photo showing an Emirati sheikh with people from Hamas and [Islamic] Jihad. What does this mean? Why is there collaboration and cooperation with Mohammed Dahlan? Hamas has no good intentions. I cannot deal with them like this, and I do not want to remain a mere “hat.” The experience with them tells us they can’t be trusted…even during negotiations, they tell the Fatah delegation: We want partnership, but to us, you are infidels. We represent Islam.
Emir Tamim: I wish their words were true, and they represented Islam truly.
Abu Mazen: I know them well. They have nothing to do with Islam, from their most senior sheikh to their most junior one. (…) Many Arab countries asked me to marginalize them and get them out of the political scene, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan and others, who objected to reconciliation with Hamas. I told the Arabs I will continue with the reconciliation, and yet, after all this, they planned a coup against me in the West Bank, and formed cells to operate against me, seeking to destroy the West Bank.
Emir Tamim: The situation as you said is unenviable. Israel’s information is always correct, but in the end, Hamas are your brothers and it is possible to have an agreement with them. All the problems come from the Arabs, and everyone is trying to thwart your efforts for reconciliation…
Abu Mazen: Why do we conspire against one another and prepare coups?
Emir Tamim: Frankly, you gave information that came from Israel. It is definitely correct.
Abu Mazen: This is proven information. Ask Majid, my intelligence chief, he has information as well, and not Israel alone. Maj. Gen. Majid often tells me we caught Hamas cells seeking to stage a coup, and I tell him take their weapons and let them go. He has information about Hamas’ kidnapping of the three settlers with the aim of sabotaging the national project and the Palestinian Authority. What interest do they have in kidnapping three young children? Why stage a coup? I sent Mehshaal the recordings and I told him they have placed a mine for me on the road, and he said he didn’t get anything and that he knew nothing.
Emir Tamim: Brother Khaled Meshaal is coming now. Lets talk to him candidly about all issues.
Abu Mazen: I would like to thank your highness for sending the $50 million. It came at the right time. We await your assistance every month, and you had promised to open an embassy for Palestine in Doha.
Dr. al-Attiyah: I am supervising the issue of the embassy myself. It will be largest embassy of Palestine in the Arab region.
Emir: We must rush this and finish it quickly.
(Mr. Khaled Meshaal and the delegation join those present at the hall. Meshaal greets the emir and President Abu Mazen and his companions).
Emir: We were speaking with President Abu Mazen and he mentioned many points. The bottom line is that we have accomplished an important part of the reconciliation, and then the [Israeli] assault took place. His excellency the president mentioned many points, and I will let him explain, but the goal is to reach solutions.
Abu Mazen: First, the political track. After the failure of the experience of 20 years of negotiations, Israel and the United States did not offer us anything while the occupation continues. Here, we propose the following political strategy: For the United States and Israel to agree in writing to a Palestinian state within the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital, within a specific timeframe, and then we directly begin demarcating the border over a specified period of time. After that, we discuss final status issues. If they offer a written agreement, so be it, if not, we will work on the following:
Ending security coordination and cooperation with Israel.
Calling Netanyahu to take over the Palestinian Authority, and [let] Israel bear full responsibility as an occupation force.
Calling Netanyahu to take over the Palestinian Authority, and [let] Israel bear full responsibility as an occupation force.
We also have the issue of Jerusalem (...) we make the same steps mentioned earlier: stop the coordination and dissolve the Palestinian Authority, which is what I confirmed to King Abdullah of Jordan.
Second, the relationship between us: So far, this has no sound footing. I do not want to return to the past, but I explained to the emir everything that was done by your side since 2006, the mines you placed for me, and the coup you staged in agreement with Dahlan, with whom you continue to work and have relations, with funding from the UAE.
Musa Abu Marzouk: You still believe that story? Stories [resulting from] your own internal disputes?
Abu Mazen: Do not interrupt me, do not provoke me Abu Omar.
Meshaal: Please continue brother Abu Mazen.
Abu Mazen: I do not want to go back to the past with all of its aspects, I explained it to the emir in detail. We agreed on a unity government and elections, but it seems that this will not pan out. You smuggle weapons, explosives, and cash to the West Bank, not for the fight with Israel, but for a coup against the Palestinian Authority. This continued until the Israeli intelligence chief visited me two weeks ago and told me about the group they arrested that was planning for a coup. The group is linked to a man named Jawad in Jordan, who reports to Saleh al-Aruri in Turkey. In addition, my security agencies have proof. Why the coup? This issue must end. You kidnapped three children, and when I asked you told me I neither confirm nor deny, but you said bless those who did it, and then yesterday, Aruri said Hamas did it. Why? What is the purpose of that? The destruction of the West Bank, the killing of 20 young men, and the burning of Mohammed Abu Khudair.
Netanyahu told me Hamas [did it], but I said no, and Aruri [now] says yes. War was launched on Gaza. Where are we now? Where is the government? Aren’t we in a consensus government? (…) In the 2012 war, you did what you wanted alone as though we did not exist. Now we are working with you in the capacity of an “empty hat.” The situation is now unbearable. I do not accept to be a mere hat or a shadow. We do not want this project. I will continue in this path, I don’t care, I cannot tolerate it anymore, from you, Fatah, Israel, or the Arabs […]. We have a national unity government and you are thinking about a coup against me, and you are working with the despicable Mohammed Dahlan against me. If you say this is not true, I will tell you I have images. Things should be clear, and by virtue of my experiences with you, I am not convinced.
Meshaal: Not convinced of what?
Abu Mazen: I am not convinced of the clarity [of your intentions]. I have had it up to here (points to his nose). Abu Omar said in Cairo to the delegation, you are infidels.
Meshaal: Say what you want, but afterwards hear what have to say. We want to agree not fight.
Abu Mazen: Yes, I hear you.
Meshaal: Are you suggesting the Qataris want to stage a coup against you like Hamas?
Abu Mazen: They are my family and they have hosted my family in the past. Now they are hosting my grandchildren.
Saeb Erekat: We are at a crossroads and we are in the same ship. If we want a state along the borders of 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital, with a resolution from the Security Council, the question the Americans and the Europeans have is: Is Hamas part of the national project? His Excellency Dr. Khaled al-Attiyah told them that Hamas is part of the solution not the problem. We want to be able to tell the world that Hamas is part of the national project.
Azzam Ahmed: Brother Abu Mazen said a lot… we are interested in solutions and building foundations. We spoke in Cairo at length, and i propose we now hear Abu Walid [Khaled Meshaal], and in light of this we discuss things.
Meshaal: I do not know anything about the reports of the Israeli Shin Bet security service, and no one showed them to me. And by virtue of the partnership with Abu Mazen, and out of respect for his person and his age, he has a right to reproach [us]. He has a right to question us, but from the beginning of the meeting, he has been tense. But for him to adopt a position based on an Israeli account about a coup, and comes and says I do not trust you, then this is not permissible!
Abu Mazen: Yes, we believe [the Israeli claim].
Meshaal: I am sorry that Israeli sources are being relied on to evaluate things. I am saying in front of the emir of Qatar the claim is one million percent false. Form commissions of inquiry, and let Qatar participate, and if it proves anything, I am willing to apologize to the Palestinian Authority in front of everyone, but if it proves to be false then I want Abu Mazen to come out and announce that Israel is lying...
When we met here last time, I told you that we object to the Egyptian initiative, and we still do. We have no objection to the Egyptian role, and Hamas does not want you to be a “hat,” because we want partnership. We are not waiting for anyone, be it Arabs or others […]. We are loyal to all those who support us. I explained to you the issue of Dahlan more than once, and damn anyone of us if he puts his hands in his hands. In regards to the UAE sending aid through him, this is welcome, because as you know, the people of Gaza are in a famine…
Abu Mazen: Yes, the coup took place in agreement with him, and we expelled him and 16 people from his group for this reason.
Meshaal: Truthfully, what happened was not a coup Abu Mazen. There were clashes on the ground.
Abu Marzouk: These are allegations you make against one another. In truth, the coup took place against Hamas.
Abu Mazen: Hear this, against Hamas! How so?
Meshaal: I trust your judgment Abu Mazen, do you really believe that Hamas staged a coup against you in collaboration with Dahlan? It was he who wanted to stage a coup against us after the defeat [in the elections]. In March 2007, a senior member of Fatah visited me, and told me Dahlan had pledged to the United States and Israel he would take out Hamas before the sixth month (June). Dahlan wants to provoke you, by telling you Hamas and I staged a coup against you.
Abu Mazen: We have investigated it and there are witnesses, and the son of Nizar Rayyan was the liaison person between you.
Meshaal: Calm down, man. You are a president and you are the number one among the Palestinian people. Do not accept all claims as absolute truths. We are prepared to investigate this issue as well, on the condition that an independent party conducts it. If it’s proven, I am prepared to apologize on behalf of Hamas.
Khalil al-Hayya: I know the issue of Nizar Rayyan’s son in detail. Abu Shabak wanted to recruit him as an agent in the Preventive Security Service.
Abu Mazen: Great, so he was a double agent.
Khalil al-Hayya: Man, I bear witness to that. The boy was 17-years-old. Rashid Abu Shabak wanted to recruit him in Preventive Security, because he is the son of leader Nizar Rayyan. He is 17-years-old and yet [you think] he can act as a liaison between Hamas and Dahlan?
Abu Mazen: 17-years-old how? We have information that confirms otherwise.
Emir Tamim: In my opinion, either this issue should be terminated now or an independent commission of inquiry should be formed. I prefer to close the subject, and please, Abu Mazen and all the brothers, let’s close this subject.
Meshaal: If the relationship is not based on trust, there is no point. The past is the past. And yet, I am prepared to investigate any issue where Hamas made mistakes so we can build on a pure, blank page. As for the case of the 93 and the coup in the West Bank, I do not accept to work with this man when he suspects me in advance. We are not here to talk about this. We are here to work together on the political issue.
Emir Tamim: What the president and you say is credible to me. There are pressures on Qatar because of Hamas’ presence here, but this is the greatest honor for us no matter how Hamas is or isn’t… The United States and the Arabs are waging a campaign against us because Hamas is present with us, and I say this is an honor for us. Abu Mazen, I want to hear your word. You want an investigation, I am prepared, but I believe it is best to close this subject.
Abu Marzouk: Your Highness, Abu Mazen says he has arrested hundreds from Hamas and confiscated weapons and money. He has Majid Faraj and we ask for Majid to clarify to us, have the features of a conspiracy emerged during investigations with those detainees? For years now people have been detained, and detentions became routine after the split [between Gaza and the West Bank in 2007]. If they had the intention to target the Palestinian Authority and Abu Mazen, this would have emerged a long time ago.
Abu Mazen: I will answer you.
Abu Marzouk: Sir, let Majid answer.
Abu Mazen: Why is there smuggling of money and weapons, which are not used against Israel? Where is the resistance in the West Bank?
Abu Marzouk: Your best efforts and coordination with the Israelis is the reason.
Abu Mazen: Ah, of course, change the subject!
Meshaal: Abu Mazen, any issue you have doubts about in the past, the present, in 2007 and before, I am prepared to have a neutral and fair commission of inquiry.
Abu Mazen: I am not talking only about the past. What about the last case? Why plan a coup?
Meshaal: Your Highness I propose two tracks, we either end this subject or have an investigation, if there is still doubt in your heart.
Abu Mazen: I have no doubts, I have facts.
Meshaal: With all due respect to all, our brothers and our partners, no matter what you say and tell him [Abbas], if he has this conviction, how can we build a partnership with him on the basis of this conviction? I want to talk about the West Bank, not Gaza. I want to talk about today’s issue. The claims the Israeli Shin Bet gave you, if you are convinced they are real then it is your duty to conduct an investigation, so you can build on solid facts. I do not accept to go ahead with a partnership when there are doubts. Here is Majid, ask him in front of us to tell you the truth.
Abu Mazen: I got my information from him to begin with.
Abu Marzouk: Give him the chance to talk.
Khalil al-Hayya: Can we hear the story of the West Bank from Majid?
Meshaal: Please brothers no one speak.
Emir Tamim: You have two options, Abu Mazen, either close the subject and let us start working together, and anyone who violates the agreement has to issue a statement and be clear. The second is an investigation committee and I am prepared for this, but I do not prefer it because there is no time for it.
Abu Mazen: I know there is no time… I want to stop the fighting but practically I have no role.
Emir Tamim: But now there is reconciliation and a unified government, and we are working together.
Abu Mazen: What government! The health minister went to Gaza and they beat him up until he almost died, and yet they tell us we know nothing.
Azzam al-Ahmed: My opinion is that we should start out from His Highness’s proposal. We put the past aside, and we talk after the consensus government. Abu Walid is right in saying that because of the last issue, it is difficult to work together and there are suspicions. Let us talk about the future.
Emir Tamim: Like he said, so should we start a new page? Or do you want an investigation committee?
Abu Mazen: The issue is not just the past, under your auspices six months ago, we formed a government of national unity. So why kidnap three children and deny it? Why start a war while I am left out? First we need to know the repercussions of it. I debated you a thousand times, and I said those who bring in weapons I will arrest them. Do you know that arms are being smuggled even by the Israeli army to you? Before the Israeli claims, or do you want me to also cast this aside?
Meshaal: You started out in a very unfortunate and non-beneficial way. First, we are committed to everything signed with respect to unity and reconciliation, as a comprehensive deal. Second: We are willing to have the decision of war and peace to be joint and something we agree on. Third: We develop a resistance strategy together, and if we don’t do it together do not blame us. Fourth: The political decision is something no one should monopolize, neither you nor Hamas.
Abu Mazen: We agreed and we said popular resistance. Where is that?
Meshaal: Your Excellency you are not earnest about it, and you hinder it and place restrictions on it, and I am ready to open all the files. The issue of the settlers, neither Aruri nor any Hamas leader knew about it, until Israeli investigations came out days ago, saying they [the perpetrators] had received instructions from Hamas members. For this reason, when I answered you, I was cautious and I said I neither confirm nor deny it. [Then-Turkish foreign minister and new prime minister] Davutoglu asked me why do you not deny responsibility? I told him I do not have definitive information, but bless the hands of those who did it against the occupation. You know that I do not sacrifice my credibility. Military action is a strategic choice, but if we agree on peaceful action, then I can make my people adhere to it. The emir proposed a way out; either turn the page […] or have a neutral investigation.
Emir Tamim: Abu Mazen let us conclude this topic […].
Abu Mazen: When I hear untruthful words, this drives me even more mad. I have a CD and I sent it to Meshaal, but he says he didn’t get it.
Meshaal: Regarding the tape, let Majid Farah bring it and say what he has to say. Let them watch the tape.
Abu Marzouk: Man, these tunnels are against Israel.
Abu Mazen: How are they against Israel? In the recording they are heard saying this mine is for Abu Mazen.
Abu Marzouk: Abu Mazen, they were joking with you.
Abu Mazen: Does it tolerate joking?
Meshaal: I said to Aruri he had made a mistake in announcing it, but this is irrelevant.
Abu Mazen: He is the one who came out and said it is our responsibility.
Meshaal: We had no information, but now that it has been proven, what is the problem?
Abu Mazen: The problem is that I had denied to America and Israel that Hamas was behind the operation.
Meshaal: And I did not know. Now that it turned out to be Hamas’ doing, you can blame me that we as Palestinian leadership should meet and decide on popular resistance, and nothing else.
Abu Mazen: this is what has already happened.
Meshaal: We agreed about partnership. [The rest] did not happen […].
Abu Mazen: I have had it up to here (points to his nose).
Mashaal: This is not how issues should be tackled. You are the number one among the Palestinian people.
Abu Mazen: I want to be finished with this story. I want to be done with you and America.
The Emir: You raised two points, a road map for the future. Abu Walid will you give your answer?
Meshaal: I have answered your Highness about it.
Attiyah: Saeb and I want the president and Abu Walid to acquaint us with what should be done at the United Nations.
The Emir: Good, Khaled will be with Saeb, and with whomever wants from Abu Walid’s side. I am interested now before the end of the meeting to agree, either to form a committee – but I don’t think we should – or put an end to the matter.
Abu Mazen: I cannot answer your Highness now, because I am unnerved.
The Emir: Or say that the issue is over.
Abu Mazen: I do not say it is over. I want answers. We agreed on popular resistance and negotiations. They started war in 2012, which had nothing to do with us! How? And why?
al-Hayya: The problem is that you believe anything. How did we start a war when we were the ones dying? Who told you we started the 2012 war? Wasn’t it them who killed [Hamas military leader Ahmed] Jabari? Now the war had started in the West Bank and then spread to us [in Gaza], correct? You want us not to defend ourselves?
Abu Mazen: You started it in the West Bank, not Israel.
Meshaal: Israel started it in the West Bank.
Abu Mazen: No, it wasn’t Israel. Israel wants to destroy us before you, but I am keen on not giving it a pretext to do so. I have put Israel in a corner politically.
Emir Tamim: Please, so we can settle the matter. You are now unnerved, you are not in a good mood. Until when will you stay in Doha?
Abu Mazen: I travel tomorrow to Cairo.
Emir Tamim: Then let us meet tonight. Prepare for a meeting. We should not leave the matter hanging.
Meshaal: I am in favor of the Emir’s proposal. Let Abu Mazen rest, and overcome his anger. We cannot discuss things when we are angry.
Abu Mazen: I am ready. I swear to God I have gone mad. Let us meet tonight then.
Assessment and observations:
- The session began and ended with tension from both sides. Things almost deteriorated were it not for the intervention of the Emir, may God protect him.
- It was clear that the Palestinian president was worried and fearful about a military move Hamas could make in the West Bank to end his rule there, and he was confident about his information.
- The Palestinian delegation accompanying the Palestinian president was more reserved during the session, but it seems that its members were resentful of the Palestinian president raising unnecessary issues and details.
- Unlike Mr. Meshaal, who would listen to President Abu Mazen until he finished, the members of his delegations tried to interrupt on more than one occasion in a provocative way.
- It was clear that the Palestinian president was very worried about information regarding Hamas’s ties to Dahlan in the UAE.
- In a private conversation with a member of the Hamas delegation, he confirmed that everything the Palestinian president said about events and accusations is baseless, and that Hamas would insist in the next session on allowing the Palestinian intelligence chief to speak, because he had given them during their conversations, including in Cairo, a completely different account from the one Abu Mazen gave. He told them that the Palestinian officer in charge of coordination with Israel deliberately relays Israeli disinformation to keep Abu Mazen under pressure.
- At the end of the first session, the member of Hamas’ delegation Musa Abu Marzouk signed the letter requested by the Palestinian president agreeing to join the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court.
■ To read the report in full, click here (Arabic)
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blog!
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blog!
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